Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood

Margaret Atwood is a Canadian novelist and poet. In addition to novels and poetry, she writes short stories, critical studies, screenplays, radio scripts and books for children. She is best known for depicting strong female characters in her novels.

Atwood shot to fame recently when she pulled out of Dubai’s first international literary festival in support of a fellow novelist’s book that was blacklisted for “potential offence to cultural sensitivities.”

“I was greatly looking forward to the festival, and to the chance to meet readers there; but, as an international vice president of Pen – an organization concerned with the censorship of writers – I cannot be part of the festival this year,” she wrote in a letter posted on her official site.

However, Atwood did regret her decision later, and took part in the festival via video link to discuss her life and writing. She also joined a panel discussion on censorship.